Tag: construction
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We are quickly approaching the introduction of Nearly-Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB) standard and once again we are asked to improve the energy performance of buildings.

What is a Nearly-Zero Energy Building (nZEB)?

‘Nearly zero-energy building’ means a building that has a very high energy performance. The nearly zero or very low amount of energy required should be covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources, including energy from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby.

– occupied and owned by public authorities shall be nearly zero energy buildings after 31 December 2018

A full review of Part L of the Building Regulations is expected to be published very soon, this will include the nZEB standard.

What are the transitional arrangements?

This will be confirmed when the reviewed Part L of the Building Regulations is published.

The draft transitional arrangements required the standard to apply to all new dwellings commencing construction from 1st April 2019 (subject to transition).

Transitional arrangements (draft) will allow Part L-2011 Dwellings to be used when planning permission has been applied for prior to the application date of 1st April 2019 and substantial work * is completed by 31st March 2020.

*The structure of the external walls has been erected.

How will compliance with nZEB be demonstrated?

For domestic buildings, compliance will be demonstrated using the DEAP methodology. DEAP is currently being updated to account for NZEB.

For non-domestic buildings, compliance will be demonstrated using the NEAP methodology.

Is nZEB standard only for new houses?

No, the new standard applies to Domestic and Non Domestic Buildings.

It also applies to existing buildings (Domestic and Non Domestic) where major renovations take place.

‘Major Renovation’ means the renovation of a building where more than 25% of the surface area of the building envelope undergoes renovation.

For ExistingNon Domestic Buildings this will require that the building is brought up to cost optimal level, which is defined in the building regulations as:

Upgrade Heating System more than 15 years’ old

Upgrade Cooling and Ventilation Systems more than 15 years’ old

Upgrade Lighting more than 15 years old.

For Existing Domestic Buildings, it is proposed that major renovation is typically activated where external wall is renovated. The cost optimal level is a primary energy performance of 125 kWh/m2/yr when calculated using DEAP or upgrade of roof insulation and heating system.

Tender prices are still increasing in 2018, with construction inflation levels running well ahead of general inflation. This is fuelled by increasing demand, skills shortages, pressure on wage rates, increases in material prices and regulatory changes.

Linesight’s research shows that, on average, tender prices rose by approximately 7.5% during 2017 while construction input costs rose on average by 3%. Due to high ongoing demand this level of increase is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

During 2018 Linesight predicts that tender prices will increase by 7% on average.

The increase in tender prices, which we expect to continue, emphasises the importance of budgeting for future construction inflation in feasibility studies and cost plans.

Average Irish Construction Prices 2018

The average construction costs table is generated using Linesight’s Cost Database and sets out typical building construction costs.

International building costs per m2 of internal area, in 2018. Source: Turner & Townsend

Labour rates and Construction Materials Prices

Turner & Townsend‘s annual construction cost survey provides labour costs and also the prices for some materials. Their cost escalation forecast for 2018-2019 is 7%.

(Click image to enlarge)

Labour and Materials Prices, 2018. Source: Turner & Townsend

Construction wage rates, 2018. Source: Turner & Townsend

The latest monthly data from CSO recorded that building and construction materials prices showed an increase of 0.7% in June 2018, compared to a decrease of 7.5% in the year to July 2018. (Price Index June 2018: 105.5; Price Index June 2017: 114.1)

The most notable yearly changes were increases in Bituminous emulsions (+10.2%), Plaster (+6.9%) and Paints, oils and varnishes (+7.5%) while there were decreases in Sand and gravel (-17.9%), ready mixed mortar and concrete (-1.9%) and Concrete blocks and bricks (-1.5%).

Build Cost Calculator

Selfbuild magazine has partnered up with ProntoCalc to provide the FREE Selfbuild Build Cost Calculator. You can try it here.

Selfbuild Build Cost Calculator

Typical Exclusions

There are a number of other expenses that you should also consider when estimating your project. See some of the exclusions that may apply to your project here.

Architect’s fees will vary based on a number of factors ranging from size and complexity to level of the service required. These two articles provide some guidelines:

The Irish economy will continue to recover and the upturn in the construction industry is well visible.

A shortage of skilled labour has lead to an upward trend in tender levels.

Linesight’s research shows that, on average, tender prices rose by approximately 7% during 2016. Linesight predicts that tender prices will increase at a faster pace of 7.5% on average, due to the shortage of resources. Greater increases are expected in the Dublin area and this could be 9% or even higher for complex city centre projects.

SCSI reports that if price inflation continues to grow at the current level, it is anticipated that pricing levels will return to the levels last seen in 2006 and 2007 in the next few years.

Average Irish Construction Prices 2017

The average construction costs table is generated using Linesight’s Cost Database and sets out typical building construction costs.

The most notable yearly changes were increases in Glass (+21.7%), Sand and gravel (+21.4%) and Plaster (+7.9%) while there were decreases in Other concrete products excluding precast concrete (-1.5%), Concrete blocks and bricks (-0.6%) and Other structural steel (-0.4%).

SCSI have developed a useful online calculator for developers to perform an analysis tailored to their own developments.

Private/individual users should use this calculator cautiously. Professional fees, for example, will be considerable higher for private developments than they are for developer built schemes where the level of repetition is often high.

SCSI highlights that the actual construction costs or hard costs made up less than half of the total costs. The online calculator allows users to adjust each elemental component of both the hard and soft costs for themselves.

House Delivery Cost Calculator (screenshot). Source: SCSI

Typical Exclusions

There are a number of other expenses that you should also consider when estimating your project. See some of the exclusions that may apply to your project here.

Architect’s fees will vary based on a number of factors ranging from size and complexity to level of the service required. These two articles provide some guidelines:

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About

Isabel Barros Architects - Wexford is driven by a passion for creating high quality contemporary Architecture. Our goal is to make good design available to the general public while maintaining a strong focus on the energy efficiency and sustainability of our designs.

A graduate of Lusíada University in Lisbon, Portugal, Isabel is a Senior Architect with over 20 years experience. She is a registered member of both the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) and the Portuguese Association of Architects. Isabel is also Accredited in Conservation at Grade 3.